The Automobile Association of Malaysia (AAM)/Motorsports Association of Malaysia (MAM) saga riles many feathers and had many racing enthusiasts talking about it. In the latest twist, Kementerian Belia dan Sukan (KBS – Youth and Sports Ministry) joined the ring, calling for AAM to be booted out of role as the country’s authority on motorsports.
The minister of the department, Syed Saddiq said, “AAM has been suspended by the (FIM) Sports Commission for consistently breaching the provisions of the Sports Development Act 1997. Many warnings have been given out before.”
“It is important for international regulatory bodies to be aware of this and take whatever action as necessary. We do not dictate what they should or should not do.”
On the other hand, “MAM has always been registered with the Sports Commissioner under the Sports Development Act 1997 to carry out national motorsports events.”
He added that this was in effect from many years ago, even before he became a minister.
Malaysian Insider had previously claimed that Syed Saddiq sent a letter to the International Motorcycling Federation (FIM) in September last year. The letter sought to recognize MAM as the sole Malaysian motorsports authority.
According to the FIM’s Sports Commissioner’s Office, it cancelled AAM’s status as a sports body in late 2018 after the latter “broke the rules.” AAM did not submitted their year-end report and amending their own constitution.
AAM chairman Tunku Mudzaffar Mustapha, on the other hand, said that they had been in constant communication with the FIM, but was suddenly deregistered on 30thNovember 2018.
AAM is the only sporting body in Malaysia sanctioned by the FIM, International Automobile Federation (FIA), and International Carting Federation (CIK). Hence, participants need to apply for their racing license and insurance from AAM if they compete overseas.
Tunku Mudzaffar warned that international motorsports events such as MotoGP will be jeopardy since AAM is the sole sanctioning body.
Dato’ Ahmad Razlan Ahmad Razali had said that the SIC MotoGP teams registered their riders including Hafizh Syahrin directly with the FIM without the involvement of AAM or MAM.
But if the FIM accepts MAM as the sanctioning body in Malaysia, international motorsports events ought to continue, which contradicts AAM’s statement.
The reality is this: The AAM has long been reviled by Malaysian racers on both four wheels and two wheels. To them, the body had only been charging high premiums for the racing license and insurance but have done nothing to promote the country’s motorsports. “AAM is beyond reproach,” they said.
These grouses were aired to this writer when he was covering the FIM Asia Supermoto Championship from 2015 and many other motorsports events.
Karma?
Dato’ Ahmad Razlan Ahmad Razali (better known as Dato’ Razlan) has resigned from his position in the Motorsports Association of Malaysia (MAM), with effect from today.
Dato’ Razlan, who is Sepang International Circuit (SIC) CEO, decided on his resignation to focus on his works at the circuit as well as Team Principal representative of the newly-formed PETRONAS Yamaha Sepang MotoGP team, in addition to the PETRONAS Sprinta Racing Teams in Moto2 and Moto3, and the MotoE electric motorcycle series. On the home front, SIC has a team in the Super 250 category in the Pirelli Malaysia Superbike Championship.
His letter of resignation was submitted to MAM President, Tan Sri Mokhzani Tun Mahathir who replaced Tan Sri Azman Yahya. The replacement is part of MAM restructuring exercise.
In developing and growing motorsport in Malaysia, MAM which was established in 2009 takes up the role as a sanctioning body while assisting clubs, event organisers, officials, competitors, commercial operators and sponsors to ensure the future growth of motorsport in its many disciplines. It will always remain MAM main objective to promote the development of Malaysian grassroots motorsports and local talents.
In the letter, Dato’ Razlan, said that his resignation was in the best interest of MAM.
Dato’ Razlan further announce that Muizz Azli will be his replacement. He opines that Muizz is a suitable candidate for this position as he has dealt with legal cases involving motorsport events. He further believes that Muizz is capable in structuring MAM and take it to the next level.
Khairul Idham Pawi celebrated his latest achievement last evening when he received the SIC-MAM Award for ‘Best Rider of the Year’ for 2016. He was awarded with the honour for his amazing achievements as the first Malaysian to win not one but two races in MotoGP™ in the Moto3™ category back in 2016. The award for ‘Best Driver of the Year’ for four wheels went to Jazeman Jaafar. (more…)
Sepang International Circuit (SIC) together with the Motorsports Association of Malaysia (MAM) will be organising the country’s first ever SIC-MAM Malaysia Motorsports Awards on 13 February 2017. The event will be held at the Royale Chulan Kuala Lumpur Hotel to recognise and credit those who have played major roles in the motoring industry here in Malaysia. (more…)
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